How To Plant Hyacinth Bulbs In A Vintage Ironstone Tureen

February 27, 2024

With spring right around the corner you might be itching to start some early spring decorating. One easy way to do that is to plant some spring bulbs indoors.

three hyacinth bulbs in bulb glass vases

I did exactly that -- by planting some already-forced hyacinth bulbs in a vintage ironstone soup tureen.

This post contains affiliate links. A purchase of any one of these items helps to support this blog and its creative efforts at no cost to you. To read more, please see my disclosure page.


white bowl Wedgwood ironstone china tureen

I shared this gorgeous vintage ironstone soup tureen many years ago. I picked it up for $28 at a vintage shop in a small lakeside town in Michigan.   

ironstone china Pearl J. Wedgwood maker's mark

This is the maker's mark. Based on research I believe the tureen was made sometime around 1850.  While filling it with hydrangeas was one way to display it, I thought it would look lovely filled with hyacinth bulbs for spring. The whole project couldn't have been easier to do.

tureen potting mix pebbles moss bulbs

SUPPLIES FOR PLANTING HYACINTH BULBS IN VINTAGE TUREEN




three hyacinth bulb jar vases


tureen potting mix hyacinth bulbs gardening gloves



HOW TO PLANT HYACINTH BULBS IN CONTAINERS

- Pour small rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the container for drainage, up to one inch 

- Pour potting soil into a bowl or bucket and mix with some water; just enough to make it moist but not too wet

- Put moist soil into your planting container, leaving enough room for your bulbs to be added 

- Carefully create space in the soil for your bulbs; drop them in and cover with soil just up to the neck of the sprout 

- Pull apart your preserved moss and gently insert it across the top of your container, covering all the dirt; it's not necessary to push it down hard (you'll want to be able to lift it up easily enough so you can water the soil when it starts to dry out)

vintage ironstone tureen filled with hyacinth bulbs and moss

BULB PLANTING TIPS: I got my already-forced hyacinth bulbs at Aldi for around $3.00 each, including the glass container. If you find similar ones for purchase near you be sure to hold onto the containers -- they can be used for propagation or vases or both! 

Keep the soil moist but don't overwater! (It's easy to overwater if your container, like this one, doesn't have drainage holes.) Be sure to rotate the container daily as hyacinths really like to reach for the light source and can grow lopsided. They are also pretty heavy in and of themselves once they really start growing. That can also contribute to the plants becoming top heavy, so beware.

chinoiserie Easter eggs ironstone tureen hyacinth bulbs

Once the bulbs have fully bloomed and the flowers start to die you can replant the bulbs outside and they'll (hopefully) sprout up for you again next spring! 

I scattered some of my DIY chinoiserie Easter eggs on the coffee table for effect.  

tureen filled with spring bulbs chinoiserie eggs bunny egg holders

While they're pretty now, just think how pretty they'll be once they fully bloom! I'll be posting a pic of those blooms on my Instagram account in the near future, so be sure to follow me there to see how these turned out! 

FOLLOW OUR HOPEFUL HOME ON

Well, that's it for today, friends! 
I hope you enjoyed reading about 
How To Plant Hyacinth Bulbs In
A Vintage Ironstone Tureen
 and that I've inspired you in some way. 
 
Don't Forget To Pin It!

three hyacinth bulbs in bulb glass vases

Be sure to stay in touch:   
 Click HERE to subscribe.
 Don’t miss another thrifty,
 DIY home décor post!


Leave a Comment!

Ann said...

I love the look of the hyacinths in your vintage tureen and I can't believe they came in those glass containers! Great find and beautiful look!

Anonymous said...

I can almost smell the hyacinths--one of my many favorite floral smells! That tureen is perfect! It shouts spring to me. I finally found some blue and white napkins to decoupage with--floral with bunnies! Kathy A